The team at Ubombo Sugar Limited in Eswatini recently hosted its annual Suppliers’ Symposium at the nearby Ubombo Country Club and was attended by over 300 suppliers on the company’s supplier database, together with other businesses representatives who have an interest in the operations of the company.
The overarching objective was to share with suppliers the Group’s procurement processes, policies, systems and procedures in order to help them improve and facilitate their business dealings with Ubombo. Topics discussed by Finance Head Philile Nxumalo (pictured) and others included procurement and inventory processes, taxation, payment processes together with safety as Ubombo’s number one strategic priority, and the company’s commitment to developing local small businesses.
This annual event creates an enabling environment for suppliers to improve their capability in service delivery while also assisting all parties to achieve their financial and regulatory obligations. And as noted above, it’s also a good platform to start building the capacity of many small businesses in the country. Aligned to the company’s commitment to creating “thriving communities”, Ubombo aims to empower these local outlets in order to broaden its own existing supply chain.
Not only did both parties have the opportunity to address each other formally on common supplier-related opportunities and challenges, informally the supplier exhibition stands set up around the Country Club provided a great chance for Ubombo management teams and others to see and hear about the wide range of good and services available within the country, and elsewhere.
The event was also attended by government and other regulatory bodies who spoke about compliance and governance requirements in Eswatini. They included the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Eswatini Revenue Services, Eswatini Bankers’ Association, Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Construction Industry Council.
The Ubombo management team expresses its thanks and appreciation to all of the participants who attended the 2024 event – thank you!